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Should I start off with an manual or electronic stringing machine?

I've been wanting to get a stringing machine for a while now, but the dilemma that I'm having is whether I should start off with an electronic or manual one.

My preference would be for an electronic machine mainly because of the accuracy of the pulls, but also my electronic strung ones seem to feel better too. The racquets that I get hand strung from a shop always seem at least a few lbs lower than the electronic strung ones which I did abroad at the same tension (around 25/26lbs). I guess that I could get around the difference in tension by stringing to a higher tension by hand, but I'm not sure if it would feel the same.

What do you guys think?

Edit: ugh just realised grammar mistake in the title...can't change it but nevermind

Electronic is always better, if money is no object or if you anticipate a lot of business get an electronic. But I think you'd probably learn more using a manual machine first. I've been using my crank 6-point machine for about 7 years and it's been great, my local sports shops also use manual machines too and are quite happy.

With a manual machine, you get a sense and feel of tension more and if things go wrong with the machine, it's not so bad to fix yourself.

When I say manual, I'm basically referring to crank machines. I wouldn't really consider drop weight unless I was on a really tight budget.

If you can honestly afford an electronic machine, I say get one - I spent three years on a manual before getting mine, and I've never looked back. More consistent tensions, constant pull, no regular calibration needed...

I wanted to get a stringing machine primarily for my own interests, re-stringing racquets for other people would be a side thing that I'd do at a later time. I have been thinking that as long as the price isn't too high then I will get an electronic one but choosing the right machine is a tough choice too, and I do like to pre-stretch some of my strings.

For my own use and friends to be more accurate I'd be buying it with my brother to soften the blow too. £1500 is still a lot cheaper than other models I've seen but of course I'd do a lot more research before I actually go for one.

Go for the Electronic. Only problem I see is where it'll be stored and sharing aspects. OK if living under the same roof (ie. with parents). But what happens when you or your brother move out? What happens when you or your brother wants to sell it cuz one of you needs $$ badly? Who gets to keep it at the end?

manual vs. electronic

Originally Posted by ant01

I've been wanting to get a stringing machine for a while now, but the dilemma that I'm having is whether I should start off with an electronic or manual one. My preference would be for an electronic machine mainly because of the accuracy of the pulls, but also my electronic strung ones seem to feel better too. The racquets that I get hand strung from a shop always seem at least a few lbs lower than the electronic strung ones which I did abroad at the same tension (around 25/26lbs). I guess that I could get around the difference in tension by stringing to a higher tension by hand, but I'm not sure if it would feel the same. What do you guys think? Edit: ugh just realised grammar mistake in the title...can't change it but nevermind

Can I be the only one recommending a drop weight for the ultimate in accuracy ? Never needing calibration , providing a wonderful visual indication of string stretch , these machines are only marginally slower to apply tension to the string . You're going to spend proportionally far more time threading , weaving and clamping . The whine from the electronic head would drive me mad , but I love the simple aesthetic of the solid,smooth,silent falling weight .

OK, If you wan to get the machine you mentioned in Tennisnut, make sure you can return it if you can not string badminton racquet with it.
If money is not an object, you will not be checking out the lower end electric machine. Also, the clamps are for tennis, not for badminton. If you are going to make some money stringing on the side, it will take more than 1 year to recover your investment.
IMHO, you can still do a good job with a manual (crank or drop weight) as long as you know how what is the short coming of each type and spend a lot of time on this forum to figure out how to do a good stringing job.
Good luck.

ES5 Protech or wait for Protech 8. I have had ES5 Pro for 6 years and so far so good no problems. It is one of the best machines in the world if not the best for badminton. It is used at all the Yonex tournaments as well as the 2012 Olympic games, Tennis and Badminton. We did have a Protech 8 there too.

ES5 Protech or wait for Protech 8. I have had ES5 Pro for 6 years and so far so good no problems. It is one of the best machines in the world if not the best for badminton. It is used at all the Yonex tournaments as well as the 2012 Olympic games, Tennis and Badminton. We did have a Protech 8 there too.

I would suppose it depends on the level of play you are going for. If you do a lot of competitions, carry about 4 racquets in the bag and using BG66, then yes, I would think you do a lot of restrings and an electronic one is worth it. If you are working and can afford it, then electronic is also worth the cash - the word is "indulgence".

I used to do 24lbs on a drop weight which was quite enough for me. It wasn't until a lot of training time later (with technique changes) and hundreds and thousands of shuttles in practice sessions that I now prefer 28 to 30 lbs and now take it to a specialist badminton shop to get done. The shop changed to an electronic machine overtime but I'm not convinced I can feel a difference. Perhaps it was due to the skill of the stringer when he used the manual machine - he was very good.

I would suppose it depends on the level of play you are going for. If you do a lot of competitions, carry about 4 racquets in the bag and using BG66, then yes, I would think you do a lot of restrings and an electronic one is worth it. If you are working and can afford it, then electronic is also worth the cash - the word is "indulgence".

I used to do 24lbs on a drop weight which was quite enough for me. It wasn't until a lot of training time later (with technique changes) and hundreds and thousands of shuttles in practice sessions that I now prefer 28 to 30 lbs and now take it to a specialist badminton shop to get done. The shop changed to an electronic machine overtime but I'm not convinced I can feel a difference. Perhaps it was due to the skill of the stringer when he used the manual machine - he was very good.